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Spiders, skulls, and brains… oh my! Are you looking for a super cool and fun Halloween project to make with your kids or your classroom? Your kids will squeal when they discover how to make this awesome gelatin brain. This is a perfect STEAM project for kids of all ages.
My kids love to create their own science experiments. In fact, I always find them in the kitchen filling jars with banana peels, lemons, food coloring, etc. They are curious little creatures who love to discover new things.
A gelatin brain is the coolest experiment to try with inquisitive and creative kids.
Just like my kids, I’m always inspired by new ideas and projects. The basic idea to infuse a gelatin brain with color came from Babble Dabble Do’s Gelatin Streaking post. (Watch this cool video, here!) Yet, I switched up a couple of components to make this project accessible to kids of all ages.
Materials
- Brain mold
- Food Coloring or Liquid Watercolors
- Pipettes
- Knox Gelatin (or any other clear gelatin)
- Decorative Spiders, Bugs, and Skulls (optional)
How To Make A Gelatin Brain
First, make a batch of clear gelatin according to the package instructions. Next, spray the Halloween brain mold with cooking oil spray, or wipe down the inside with a bit of olive oil on a paper towel. Pour the liquid gelatin mixture into the Halloween brain mold. Let it cool in the refrigerator for a least 3 hours or overnight.
Once the mold has solidified, take it out of the refrigerator and place the bottom of the mold into a bowl of warm water. This will loosen the gelatin to make it easier to slide out of the mold.
Next, place a plate or platter on top of the mold. With one hand on the plate and one hand on the bottom of the mold, flip it upside down. The gelatin brain should slide right out.
Finally, prepare the liquid watercolors, or food coloring. The kids will squeeze color into the pipette and then inject color into the gelatin brain.
This was such a fun project! My children ewwed and ahhed over injecting the gelatin brain with color. Moreover, they loved to touch and poke the jiggly brain until it turned into mush.
Watch how the colors mix together!
How does the gelatin feel?
Squish it and mix it!
What the STEAM behind it?
Questions/Observations
- Gelatin is magic! It goes from a liquid form to a solid form. Gelatin is a protein which unravels when heated but solidifies when cooled.
- How do the liquid watercolors react when injected into the gelatin? What color does blue and red make? What color does yellow and blue make? What happens when all the colors mix together?
- Why do the liquid watercolors leak in the plate?
Try making a gelatin brain for the greatest sensory, color, and STEAM experience!
Here are more Halloween STEAM resources:
